Marin Readers' Forum for Feb. 12

Until fairly recently, housing growth in Marin proceeded at a slow, careful and guarded pace. This was caused by concerns regarding school capacities, traffic, but mainly because of our limited water supply.

Somehow, these concerns have been ignored and brushed aside by some force that has succeeded in quietly obtaining approvals for more high-density housing than many of us can imagine.

The badly needed rain kept many people, including me, from attending the gathering in Corte Madera to protest high-density development in Marin.

Somehow, the Tamal Vista development for 180 units slipped by and went up before it was publicized.

There is still time to stop the 920 units proposed for Larkspur landing. But Marin residents have to voice their opposition to the Larkspur City Council.

A prerequisite for growth is the infrastructure to support it. The recent rains ease but do not eliminate short-or long-term concerns regarding water, even for the current population.

Phyllis Kreider, San Rafael

Give Tamal Vista a chance

Let us wait until the large rental complex in Corte Madera is finished and rented up before more criticism from the public.

Certainly workforce housing is much-needed and Corte Madera is small.

From 1954, I lived in Novato in two houses and then a condo. I have lived the past 16 years in The Redwoods Retirement Community in Mill Valley.

We are much loved in this city, although we have over 300 units with 149 in independent living, 108 in residential living, and in "Personal Care" there are 26 more apartments, plus a good number of bedrooms in our "Health Care" section.

Although the Safeway is right across the street on Camino Alto, some residents still take their cars to shop there. Tamalpais High School is across Miller Avenue.

We are respected and well loved in Mill Valley, with a city welcoming of 40 more apartments here in the future.

Let's wait in Corte Madera and see what happens.

Elizabeth Moody, Mill Valley

After-the-fact protests

I wonder where were the protesters during the long process of Corte Madera's general plan — both the Planning Commission and the Town Council held hearings.

Where were the protesters during the Corte Madera Planning Commission hearings on this project?

Where were the protesters during the Town Council hearings about this project?

I understand the need to protest, but civic involvement is imperative if you want to keep your voice in town.

Protesting now at the site does not and will not stop the project.

Will it stop future projects? Maybe.

I do think this project is more becoming than a derelict factory, or an abandoned site.

I can suggest that giving back to your community by participating in the town planning and being an elected official can be a rewarding community service.

You could use your energy to form the future rather than wishing it was something else.

Richard Esteb, Corte Madera

TRANSPORTATION

Touching base with riders

Public transit in Marin County is experiencing a quiet but impressive growth that has been lost in the discussion about Marin Transit board members who do or don't ride the agency's services.

During fiscal year 2012-13 over 3.4 million rides were provided on Marin Transit. While this trend is laudable, there is work to be done to ensure continued success.

This is why Marin Transit plans to spend $30,000 of its overall marketing budget on a market research survey that will determine what it will take to attract more Marinites on to transit to address our congestion problems.

A previous study, mentioned by the Marin Independent Journal, surveyed current riders and identified areas of the county with the greatest propensity to ride transit based upon household income, car availability and other factors. This survey will cast a wider net to learn what all Marin residents and taxpayers want from their local transit system.

Marin Transit has been successful in developing a "family of services" concept that enables us to offer services that are both effective and efficient. We provide the right types and levels of transit services at the lowest cost to both the riders and the taxpayers.

By investing in marketing and outreach programs, including marketing research, we can bring our family of services to more Marin County residents.

The Marin Transit marketing contract will be a subject of discussion at the March 17 meeting of the Board of Directors.

Barbara Duffy, Interim General Manager, Marin Transit, San Rafael

Give trolleys a chance

This is to compliment Allan Nichol, Peter Breen and Mary O'Mara on their Marin Voice column,"Streetcars a Sensible Solution"on Feb. 8 and to suggest that the opinion expressed by IJ columnist Dick Spotswood parallels one acted upon many years ago when the seemingly excellent Key System and Northwestern Pacific Railroad systems were shut down, unfortunately following opening of the Golden Gate Bridge.

As the late journalist and author Harre W. Demoro stated in a video appearance in 1984, "if instead of having been shut down in February 1941, the (electric train systems) would have run all through World War II and the history of Marin County's (and the entire Bay Area's) transportation would likely have been very different."

This is respectfully to suggest my fellow citizens take heed and urge their representatives to plan ahead for our transit needs.

Good public transportation is expensive, but has many advantages. Multiple studies by local transportation experts conclude no one system would be a magic bullet for what is needed here now; multiple effective options probably will be necessary.

The trains, years ago, "lost money;" many otherwise effective mass transit systems also do so today, but we need them anyway for the benefit of our health, sanity, safety and convenience.

Ed Boyce, San Rafael

OLYMPICS

Spirit of the games

On Monday morning, I watched the Russian Police Choir sing a rock number on NBC TV's coverage of the Olympics.

Media people and athletes who had finished their competitions were be-bopping around the floor.

That's one reason I enjoy the Olympics every couple years. It's a chance for the world to lighten up and just enjoy the youthful exuberance of athletes and people at play.

Once again, we're reminded that simple pleasures and goodwill towards others is the satisfying way to live.